Heartfelt Newsletter Winter, 2015

Steve Bloem BA, MM

Robyn Bloem, Co-founder

Heartfelt Counseling Ministries

4371 Northlake Blvd. Suite 256

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

561.909.9109 www.heartfeltmin.org

Counseling-Educating-Advocating

Fall 2015

What is CAMI?

CAMI stands for Christians Afflicted with Mental Illness and is an organization within Heartfelt Counseling Ministries. We have support groups through CAMI and have ongoing training. One of our greatest achievements has been to write our own CAMI Material. This includes Leader and Student Guides with all the instructions on how to start, lead and maintain these valuable groups.

Mental Illness is a disease that begs for community and it is often more subtle and much more prevalent than we imagine.

CAMI Guide

These provocative and interesting manuals pose questions relating to the issues so relevant to those who live with these diseases. Each lesson has sections entitled Key Verse, Theme of the Week, Talking Points and The Crux of the Matter. There are six lessons in each workbook with approximately eight questions each. The Leader’s Guide has an additional section with all the questions answered and helps to lead the discussion.

The subjects for the lessons in the first series are as follows:

     The Providence of God and

     Mental Illness

     Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness 

     Elijah, a Depressed Man

     The Lethality of Mental Illness

     Shepherding the mentally ill

How would you or your friends benefit from a CAMI group? Or why buy the material?

1) There is nothing similar available

2) It is scriptural

3) It is affordable

4) Easy to read

5) Stimulates discussion

6) Tells you from A-Z(ed) how to start and conduct a support group

We have recently decided to offer this material to the public. This is not a repeat of our book, Broken Minds. There is new information and the Leader’s Guide answers over a hundred and twenty questions about mental illness. The Leader’s Guide is only $12.50 and the
Student Guide is just $8.50. Training for using this material is available from Heartfelt Counseling Ministries if you feel you need it.

Just go to: http://heartfeltmin.org/how-can-i-get-involved.html  Donate Now page and order your books today!

 Steve is a BLOGGER!

Have you caught Steve’s Blog?

He writes on topics related to three suffering “people groups.” It is part of our purpose statement; helping those who suffer from disturbances of the mind and mood; those dealing with bereavement and loss; and keeping the spotlight on the persecuted church across the world. He has over 1700 hits each month on his provocative blog.

sbloemreflections.blogspot.com

 

If you help us -
       We will help others!

Counseling

Steve continues to counsel individuals, couples and families. Besides the mental health clients with diagnosed illnesses, he has a ministry with those who have Borderline Personality Disorder. Steve is a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist and received intensive training from Dr. Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington, Seattle. He does mindfulness exercises from the wisdom literature of the Old and New Testaments.

CAMI Thursdays

We are very thankful for the opportunity to meet at our home church, Boca Glades Baptist, every Thursday evening from 7:00- 8:15 for one of our CAMI Support Groups. We have good discussions as we study God’s Word.

We hear almost daily of people who have either stopped going to church or have become so guilt-ridden that they are hiding their illnesses from their friends and leadership within the church. We are regularly challenged to educate pastors and leaders on mental illness, to advocate for the sufferers and counsel as many as possible while they go through this fiery trial of the mind and mood.

Sliding Scale For treatment

We continue to offer counseling at reduced rates. We calculate that 90% of our clients pay less than full price fee and most are at least 50% discount. We try to be the best stewards we can be to our donors and to the Lord.

Please prayerfully consider what you can do to help finance Heartfelt Counseling Ministries. You may desire to offer a Faith Pledge for the coming year, which of course is not binding, but is a way for us to plan for the year ahead.

When people call for help they are usually severely depressed and often suicidal.

Does that seem like an important ministry?

We think so, too.

Who do we help?

Here are a few of the examples of people we minister to regularly: 

• Our CAMI members

• Christian woman who recently contacted us who is in an episode of depression and feeling isolated from the Lord. She has read Broken Minds and now has ordered CAMI support group material. This spiritual  emptiness is a typical emotion depressed people feel. 

Steve and Robyn are uniquely equipped to minister to people with mental illness or have a family member who does. I have been blessed and encouraged by them both. God has sovereignly allowed them to go through some very deep waters so they are able to come alongside the rest of us during our dark nights. JH

• A client with borderline personality disorder who has been re-directed and counseled for months.
•  A young woman, a Bible College Student contacted us because she was in horrible depression and anxiety. Her college did not believe in mental Illness but Steve was able to help her and restore her to a “normal life” This took some time but we were able to do it.   
• A young woman with OCD and depression who was using Alcohol to cope. She is clean and sober and living for the LORD.  A deeply depressed recent college grad who didn’t think he could take his new job. We got him in quickly with a doctor did some family and individual therapy and he is working that job today!

Heartfelt as many other non-profits depend on end of the year donations. When you give to Heartfelt you should know that we are one of a few agencies that give a major discount to people who cannot afford counseling. You can give to Heartfelt Counseling Ministries on-line or with a check.  Please visit the link below.  We are a 501 (c) (3) and all gifts are tax deductible.

 http://heartfeltmin.org/how-can-i-get-involved.html

In 1985 when mental illness hit our family the first time, we didn’t understand what happened. We had pain, fear, false guilt and a major disruption in our lives.   Well, NOW we know what to do and we effectively help others in their journey with these painful